Career overhaul after kids have grown up

[PurpleStripedCat]

Ideas please 🙏 Not really an AIBU thread! I’ll be in my early 50s by the time my children have grown up but I have time to think about training or studying now and can do distance learning or part time studying.

Ideas so far -

Teaching - I’m currently resitting my Maths GCSE (early years/primary or Drama Teacher as my degree is in acting/experience in playwriting and running a theatre company.

Police Officer - on the job apprenticeship

Any other ideas very welcome please. I am seeking job security and an almost guaranteed job after training.

Right now I’m part time in a low paid civil service position. I enjoy it but there’s no career progression. I’ve been stuck in low paid positions for years.

I’m happy to go back to uni and have a good few years to study and train. Thanks!

Stay away from teaching. It will totally consume your life. Long hours, thankless and hugely stressful. Also, the days of being creative in primary are long gone sadly.

I can't imagine doing either in my 50s tbh.

I enjoy it but there’s no career progression.
Change Depts? Project manager (agile), product owner etc roles apply across the CS - you're not going to change the world but they're reasonably well paid roles with ok employer pension contributions. Maybe ask if there are any courses/shadowing opportunities available?

I’m doing something similar right now, OP. I’ve been self-employed and doing pt hours for years to fit around family commitments, but now I’m going back into teaching. I have taught in the past, but didn’t enjoy it in my 20’s. Now I feel ready to give it another go.

I’m under no illusions, it’s going to be tough! I’m ready for the challenge though and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll go back to what I’m currently doing.

Ahh I love this, I just wanted to say you're absolutely not too late, and you're already ahead of so many people just by being open to exploring it now.

I actually help women in this exact situation (mums, some with no GCSEs or who've been in low-paid jobs for years) apply for uni and retrain even if they’ve been out of education for years.

There are loads of degree options that can be done part-time or online with really strong job prospects (especially in teaching, counselling, project management, business, health + social care etc).

If you want a no-pressure chat about your options or what you might qualify for - just drop me a message. I’d be happy to help you map it out